Dress billowing around her ankles, Valiria came bounding into the room and collapsed to her knees in front of Mae's seat with arms wrapped tightly around. The young girl had no time to react, her own legs still pulled to her chest and arms lowering to see her father, three siblings, and her grandmother entering the room as well. Sylvie and Tonie were crying relentlessly, hanging off their mother with shaking hands.
The twins were old enough to know a reaping wasn't something one returned from, as much as their mother tried to prevent them from having to watch they still knew what the Hunger Games were. This year they'd be glued to the screen. It was hard to believe just minutes ago she'd been joking around and getting through the day with the assumption she would be back in her bed by that evening; she'd gotten too comfortable. "Mami..." Maesus tried to whisper, steeling herself as best she could to soothe her mother but knowing she must have looked a wreck already.
Except Daria had joined in now, from behind the chair with her arms wrapped around her sister's shoulders. "The boots are yours, Mae-Mae, you'll be okay. You're competitive and you think on your feet! And-" For the first time she was rambling much like Maesus always did. She couldn't get out of her mind how trivial her frustration about the shoes had been, that her biggest concern that morning was what footwear she'd have.
"I think you should keep em', Daria." She spoke in a quiet and quivering voice, her face scrunching as her throat closed up. Any more words and she'd be in the same wet hysterics as her mother. Just a few halls away her uncle, aunt, and cousins would be giving similar talks to Blais. Only one walked out of that arena and he was older, faster, and stronger than she was. Hell, she was big enough to admit he was smarter too. At the very least she relished in what final moments she'd get with her family, sliding down the chair to sit with Valiria. Either arm opened wider to embrace both the twins as they buried their faces in her shoulders. "I'm gonna miss you two so much." Hot tears pricked at her eyes, sheer will keeping them from the fall.
"You come home, Maesita." Riquez finally spoke up, still standing a few feet away with one arm wrapped around his mother-in-law's shoulder. "No matter what, you come home." He looked so serious now, a curt nod shared between them as though it were an order and not a hope. "Yeah, papi." A quiet snort. "I'll be comin' home." Returned to them in a coffin.
Maesus could have sat in silence on the floor in the embrace of her mother for days, instead though she shakily rose to her feet and stepped forward to hug her grandmother. "Abuela, yo me- ugh, I'm no-" The old woman grabbed both of the girl's hands tightly, bringing her in close and planted a rouged kiss to her cheek.
"No, no, no." She shushed her gently and Maesus realized a cold metal string of what felt like soft beads were now within her grasp, going to look down at them but unable to as she was finally pulled in for a tight hug. "Just count em', chiccia." She whispered. "Pensar en casa, and think of all waiting for you." They pulled apart and Maesus came face to face with her father, wishing she could sob like a child but wanting to stand tall in order to make him proud. Mae moved the necklace into her dress pocket to take a better glance at later, burying her face into Riquez's chest and finally letting those tears fall.
She'd been the baby for nearly twelve years and had always been close to her dad. His lack of words and her overabundance, the actions he took to show his love in the silences. They shared a love of music, of her mother's cooking; he was the one to finally allow her to go roping. She was going to miss him desperately.
Ideally Maesus believed she would get the fortune of remaining a ranch hand for the majority of her life, being particular to cattle driving and knowing maybe she could postpone being the married off daughter. As the eldest daughter Daria would be expected to stay on the ranch to help care for their parents until Tonie was old enough to inherit the land. She and Sylvi would have to be like Aracely and Isa, wives and mothers; have enough children and still get up each day to work.
At the very least she could shed that expectation.
Pulling away from him and returning to where her mother still sat on the floor, she was joined by the others in a group embrace. Life in Panem was far from perfect, but they had each other and it had been enough. Family was everything.
With a sharp inhale she untied the laces on the boots she wore and set them aside, nodding to her older sister to remember them but being unable to form any words. All she'd ever done is open her mouth and spew what was in her mind, her emotions worn outward; now there was nothing worth saying. No more tears worth spilling. She was going to die, plain and simple. How quickly she began shutting down.
Time passed too quickly, the door opening once again as four peacekeepers stepped inside. If not for Riquez they would have had to physically drag her siblings out, possibly carry her mother as she wailed; instead they recognized the warning in his otherwise flat tone. "We have to go now." He made direct eye contact with his daughter for what would be the final time. "Come home."
It was disheartening to have the door closed in her face, cheeks stained with tears. Alone, Maesus retrieved the gift from her grandmother left in her pocket. It was a long silver and red beaded necklace with a pendant at the bottom too faded and flattened to be distinguishable, three more beads following it before ending at what looked like an old clasp for a secondary pendant. The beads were soft to the touch, almost velvety and out of curiosity she brought it closer to her face; roses. They smelt so strongly of roses- no, upon a second feel she'd realized they were made of roses. There was no time wasted in putting it on, finger and thumb going over each bead.
Six large beads compared to the many small. She'd been counting just how many in total before the interruption of another guest, Sylvi and Santi both looked hesitant as the door closed harshly behind them. It was unsurprising few family members could send her off, some would be sending off Blais and others her. No doubt the large number of family members requesting to visit would ultimately be denied, direct and a few select likely the reason for the smaller group this time. She wondered who they allowed to see her cousin. Perhaps she was wrong about how many were allowed inside the Justice Hall, if everyone else had chosen to see Blais off instead.
"Abuela really gave you her rosary, huh?"
Pulled out of her racing thoughts, Maesus looked back at the necklace she played with unconsciously and nodded. Sylvi continued. "She got them from Abualita Elena, you know, and she got em' from her own mami. They're so old we don't even know who in the family made em'. But they always brought the carrier luck an' faith, safety." She gently held up the end with the three beads for the girl to focus on.
"They'll protect you, ya know. Don't let anyone take em' while you're in the arena, they'll get you home." It was almost frustrating how much hope her family had towards her chances, how they seemed to think even a trinket could protect her from being killed. Rather than express that annoyance the girl wrapped her arms tight around her aunt's stomach and squeezed, the hug quickly returned. All Maesus wanted was comfort, not assurance. Just like holding her big brother's hand before he passed on.
"I'm not comin' home, Sylvi. I know ya'll will be there for my sisters and brothers, my parents. You too, Santi." Unburying her head to meet the gaze of her uncle, she held her hand out and squeezed when he finally reached back. "As much as I wanna try, ya'll know my odds; I just wanna know you two are gonna be there on that ranch-" A spiral of scared depressive thinking had become spoken word, eventually Sylvi squeezing her so hard she had to stop just to get a proper breath.
"Maesus, you think any of those kids have dealt with a temperamental horse or stubborn heifer; you know how to handle an animal, that's exactly what these kids from the other districts are once the gong goes off." The older woman actually shook the younger girl as if it would make her understand any better.
"It's instinct, you know what to do. Trust yourself."
It was surprisingly more uplifting than the talk with her father, giving the girl a soft glow of hope for the short time she got with the two. There were a number of occasions she could have gotten hurt herding, or even fallen into the pig pen but she managed to come out unscathed. The idea that she could potentially come out of the games was fleeting, diminishing further as the peacekeepers arrived again to escort her company out. If she wanted to win though, she'd need to make a plan soon; she'd need to decide if she had it within herself to kill her own cousin.
Turns out the thought itself would make Maesus so sick she was hunched over the potted plant in the back of the office, throwing up a large portion of that morning's breakfast and being devoured by guilt. It made all the more sense to work with him, except becoming the final two would mean handing away her life or returning a pariah. There was no right answer.
At the very least she no longer needed to think about her next few moves, the door opening for a third and final time with the escort from earlier sashaying in. He was still grinning from ear to ear and clicking his heels on the floor beneath them, swiftly reaching out to grab her hand and pull her up to her feet. "Maesus, I'm charmed to actually meet you!" As kindly and vibrantly as he spoke, his gaze seemed to go right through her like this wasn't the first time he'd used those exact words. He managed to hide his disgust at the sight of the plant's puke covered soil. "If you can't recall, I'm Harlow but right now we need to start hot-stepping to the train station. Shall we?" He guided her by the arm, out of the office and down the endless halls of the Justice building.
There was a lurid light that Harlow emanated, beneath the makeup he had soft pecan-hued skin with unnaturally colored eyes in place of his real ones, he towered over the girl as he led her out of the office. He took every step as though he was lighter than air, beaming at every person they passed as though he hadn't escorted other children to their eventual grave. If his appearance hadn't shifted so much, she could more accurately remember how many years he'd been the escort; her current guess was four but perhaps it was six if he'd changed his skin color like other Capitol elites. It didn't matter, no one from 10 had won in over ten years anyways.
Stumbling over her feet in order to keep up, Maesus was relieved to see another door open to reveal where Blais had been waiting; another plain office missing any item that could be used to end their life prematurely. He seemed just as relieved to see her before concerned confliction mixed into his expression, focusing instead on the escort that brought them both in close. "Now my sweetpeas.." Harlow began, "We have a lovely dinner and long train ride ahead of us, let's not waste any time." He headed for the large double doors with the two in tow. "Come along!"
Alongside him now, she realized that Blais had an egg sliding down from atop his head and down the side of his cheek. He'd wiped it twice to no avail, more egg white and soon yolk finding their way down to coat his face and the front of his shirt. There was a small, long thin leaf stuck in his hair just above his ear and she realized the soft sweet scent of honey mesquite originated from his direction. As much as the girl wanted to ask what happened, she couldn't bring herself to steal another glance in his direction. A thick tension settled between them, the reality of their situation settling in. Harlow had led them to the back door out of the Justice Hall and the sun blinded her as it opened.
Eyes adjusting so as not to trip over herself as their escort seemed unfazed and trotted along, she was grateful their path was blocked by a vehicle.
Horse Drawn wagons were the most commonly used form of transportation in District 10, horses secondary if one could afford but cars such as this were rarely seen by citizens let alone driven. One couldn't forget the familiar sound of the big white peacekeeper wagon on a dirt road, the dust kicking up behind them and choking anyone unfortunate enough to have been walking home. They were dingy and armored, it was easy to hear them driving up and hide away if you were doing something wrong. This vehicle was different though.
Reminiscent of a bygone era, its red hood was long, sleek and featuring what looked like the lines of a grill. Passing by it they could feel the heat of the engine billowing into their faces, Maesus stuck out a hand to feel the soft material of the roof and realized it was attached to a retractor. With a single door, she followed up the metal step running from each end of the car and curving over either wheel to sit down in a seat plusher than her father's living room chair. In front of her Harlow prattled on to the driver, behind her an equally as stupefied Blais tried to settle himself into his own seat; how fortunate the train station would not be too far.
"You two are certainly in for quite a treat!" Harlow exclaimed as the car lurched forward. "Pampering, fresh foods and pastries, and let's not forget the adoring fans waiting to see you once we arrive in the Capitol!" The Justice Hall faded off into the distance and she rested her forehead against the window, it shook her head violently but she just wanted to take in one final look at her home. Those they passed wore solemn expressions. Tomorrow they'd be tuned into the broadcast, whether or not they wanted to be.
The train to the Capitol cast a shadow from where it sat in the station, the short stairs trembling beneath her feet as Harlow helped her up the final step. There were a number of folks crowding around at the station, taking photographs of the two as they boarded. Fortunately Harlow tried to shoo the teens inside quickly after more than enough pictures had been taken. "There we go, to the left darling." The door slid open on its own, Maesus was frozen solid as Blais bumped into her from behind; it was far more to take in than she'd expected.
Chandeliers glinting in the light that seeped in from the windows swayed up above them, pristine table cloths lining thick mahogany and several silver trays of food were laid out already. Multiple chairs and even a chaise lounge on one side, and at the main table adorned with intricate carvings sat the mentors for that year who'd shushed their conversation at the sight of the two tributes. How out of place the two ranch teens looked in the pristine sea of gold and white. Even in their best they appeared wildly underdressed. Blais gently pressed a hand to the middle of her back and the girl instinctively flinched, stepping into the room and quelling her sense of overwhelm.
"Oh perfect!" From behind them Harlow's voice quivered like a song and he urged the two towards the table with their mentors. "You four get acquainted and friendly, I need to touch up my makeup before dinner. Now Blais, Maesus." He shot a near serious glance at the two, wagging his perfectly manicured finger. "I'm expecting no elbows on the table and here we eat with our utensils. From this moment on we're well mannered, hmm?" A flashed smile and a wink, he'd gone to turn away but let out a gasp. "Young lady, where are your shoes?"
Looking down at her feet, Maesus had almost forgotten she was only in socks and merely shrugged. "I gave em' to my sister caus-"
"Cata, please make sure she has something on those feet by the time we have dinner. There should be options in the bedroom." Swiftly turning on a heel, the door slid open and Harlow disappeared.
Her attention was refocused on Catalena and Colt, knowing either could be representing her and Blais yet it was realistic to assume Colt was in charge of her cousin. He'd trained every male tribute since his own win, not a single victor produced yet though; the only other victor of 10 was Alejero who'd won during the 35th Hunger Games and avoided the public's eye since he'd mentored Colt to victory. "Mae, come sit."
Inviting was the voice of Catalena Rez, the woman in her fifties with graying black hair worn up in a braided crown; her smile filled Maesus with ease and comfort. She sat down in the wooden chair across from her, expecting Blais to do the same with his own mentor but watching as he sat instead a few feet back in a plush lounging chair. Perhaps it was the fear of being chosen, the frustration of being reaped; whatever it was, the boy wouldn't even acknowledge the rest of them. Colt silently rose from the table to seat himself closer to his mentee and spoke quietly, neither woman able to make out his words.
Victor of the 17th Hunger Games, Catalena was gently reaching out to take one of the younger girl's hands and squeezed it. It brought Maesus back to reality and she noticed the glass held out for her, the familiar sweet intoxicating scent of wine filling her nose. "Before we begin, you should have your first real drink before the chance is taken from you. There's a lot to cover."
Warm and oddly soothing, the brunette couldn't help herself but go for another sip before responding. "What's gonna happen next? Before the parade, I mean." The spectacle of the tribute parade, announcement of training scores, and the final interviews was all the citizens of the districts got to see before the games began. Otherwise it was simply reruns of the previous games. Unlike Districts 1, 2, and 4 there weren't many victors around to help prepare the large mass of children in 10. With all the work to be done from such a young age, it would be asinine even if the current victors tried to offer training; no one would have the time.
"We're gonna eat dinner together, I'm sure Harlow'll do most of the talking and try to get to know you both better to help craft your image. You'll get some proper sleep in your own room and by the morning we'll arrive at the Capitol station. Right now, Maesus, you need to start thinking about your plan for the arena, some of these kids already had a strategy devised before they were reaped." She reached her hand out and lowered the near empty glass from the girl's mouth, continuing on. "You'll need to do more than just surviving the elements and hunger, you're going to have to make allies and recognize your enemies." Unconsciously Maesus glanced back towards Blais who had leaned into his conversation with Colt, shaking off the weight of the inevitable question.
"How am I sposed' to trust anyone? No matter what we agree on, they could be lying to me. I'd be offering myself on a silver platt-"
"Not if you're ready with a plan to dispose of them first. No ally is actually going to stay an ally." She said it as though it were obvious, raising her hand to squeeze the girl's upper arm, covered by a sleeve but muscle still defined under her grip. "Choose people you could overpower."
Whipping her braids about with a shake of her head, Maesus reeled back and felt that familiar nausea befall her. "Can we really not discuss how I'm gonna be killing anyone, right now, please?" Catalena heaved a sigh and leaned back in her chair, pointing to another door out of the train car.
"Then I recommend getting acquainted with your room for the night and being more open to planning during dinner. We only have six days and then there's not much I can do for you."
Dinner was extravagant, an entire roasted pig the 'belle of the ball' with a crisp red apple in its mouth. The most Maesus could bring herself to eat was the vast array of vegetables and the soft, almost cushiony bread rolls. It wasn't as though she'd never had the two but they were a rarity, the industry forcing them to rely on the undesirable parts of the livestock they raised rather than gardening or baking. There were two bakeries in the entirety of the district, rolls like this would have cost a fortune.
The broccoli and asparagus, she had to ask for the name of the latter since she'd never seen it before, were greener than any shrub that grew back home. It was easier to focus on the shine of her dinner plate in the brightly illuminated dinner cart. Across from her Harlow was speaking loudly with Blais, encouraging the rest of the group to agree with him.
"I mean, it would just be perfect wouldn't it? 'Handsome cowboy who grew up living off the land, looking to get home and back on the saddle'." Not even in the Capitol yet and he'd begun working on their personas, his big impassioned speech at the start of the dinner focusing on the simple fact the two would be performing. From the very moment they entered the eyes of every citizen on the stage they'd been cast, and now it was his duty to help them find what role they'd be playing. What demographic they could win the hearts of. "And that bolo tie, oh! I can see it starting a trend back in the city."
She was grateful to be left out of the conversation thus far, knowing she could play the safe angle of being weak but who would buy that? Maesus did mostly the same work as the men around her and earned her spot in replacing her uncle as a cattle driver just over a year ago. It felt demeaning to present herself as anything else. She'd worked too hard.
"Maesy-baby." Harlow began, inciting her annoyance with the pet name. "You are just going to adore being treated once we arrive tomorrow. A beautiful, blossoming young girl such as yourself, I can only imagine what your stylist will choose to enhance your natural looks further. A little push up brassiere, some v-necks; oh, the sponsors won't be able to take their eyes off you!" She could grin and bear it when the boys she played soccer with began treating her differently after she went up three sizes the summer of her twelfth year, when the older men in the merchant side of town mentioned to her that she'd become such a captivating young woman. Maesus had grown sick of gritting her teeth. She was gonna die anyways.
"Ah right, cause whatever gift I get for shakin em' will help me out against other tributes." She began angrily. "Though I reckon if I'm being chased down or they're tryna throw a knife at me I can just pull my top up right?" An awkward tension filled the air and all she could do was scoff, going to pour herself another glass of the raspberry flavored wine. Anger became all encompassing, her jaw clenched and face flushed. She already felt embarrassed by the outburst, but there was no slowing it down. "Distraction an' a show, that's what they want after all, right?" She'd never even had a raspberry before, let alone really knew what it was but this was her new favorite drink, the confidence she felt with each new sip was invigorating.
"Maesus, that's not what he's-" Blais's attempt at helping was interrupted, Harlow's hand raising and smile dropping. "Sweetheart, whether you like it or not your skills won't be the only thing drawing sponsors in. Men especially want to throw money at the tribute they like watching, you need to make them want to focus on you however you can; plus, you were blessed with the right body to the job!" He began, swiftly pulling the bottle away from her before she could finish filling her glass to the brim. "But they don't want a mouthy girl with an attitude! It's time to be ladylike."
Maesus rolled her eyes as she simply stood up from the table with her drink. "Fine, fine. Abuela says if 'I've nothing nice to say I cain't say it', ya know." Her face had gone red hot in embarrassment from the scolding, frustrated at knowing ultimately he was right. If she looked good for the cameras, the more fans and support she'd have; it was simple and it pissed her off. Without another word she left the dinner cart, continuing further along the train before finally finding the bar cart she'd heard so much about earlier on the expedition.
Running her fingers over the bottles labeled with words she wouldn't begin to know how to pronounce, she picked up a bottle of the same syrupy dark brown liquor she'd seen her older cousin stealing just around breakfast that day. She wondered how dinner back home was going, if they'd even gathered to eat at all. Uncorking the bottle with ease, she sipped straight from it and recoiled even as she swallowed it down. It burned far worse than the wine yet quickly she settled down into one of the chairs by the warmth it brought her. Another sip and she gagged so hard she'd begun coughing, once settled though she sunk into the plush velvet.
Calmed and feeling fuzzy, Maesus reached for the rosary just peeking out from beneath her dress material and rubbed a thumb over each and every bead. She could focus less and less after so few sips already, but managed to stay focused on her counting. Six large beads, fifty-three small; all emanating the sweet scent of roses that reminded her of her grandmother, of home. She'd sat there counting to fifty-nine repeatedly before eventually Catalena came to find her.
The girl had fallen asleep clutching the rosary in her hands and the bottle resting on the side table. With the help of a peacekeeper, Catalena was able to help get her back into her private room. Still in her reaping dress and muttering in her sleep, she was covered with one of the blankets from the foot of the bed and left alone in the darkness. Small lights and flashes of scenery flickered in the night sky just outside the window, the lit up Capitol skyline just visible far ahead over the mountain range.